Tennessee Titans Position Rankings: Ranking the Titans Linebackers for 2011

One of the weakest areas heading into the offseason for the Tennessee Titans was the linebacker position, and losing Stephen Tulloch to the Detroit Lions didn't help that cause.

However, the Titans were able to draft two promising young linebackers and promote from within to try and make up for it.

Last season, the linebackers struggled to drop into coverage and in covering the flats. They have to improve in that area this season, and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray has been stressing that during training camp drills.

The success of this position will be critical to whether or not the Titans enjoy success in 2011.

8. Ken Amato (Experience: 9 Years)

Ken Amato has been with the Titans for his entire career, but he's never been able to become a regular starter during that time.

He's never had more than 15 tackles in a season, and that was in 2004.

Amato's true role to the team is as a long-snapper and a special teams member, but he also serves as a situational linebacker. In other words, if the Titans are unfortunate enough to deal with multiple injuries at the position, then Amato would step in.

7. Colin McCarthy (Experience: Rookie)

McCarthy will not be a starter in his rookie season, but he'll play a vital role on special teams. We could also maybe see him if the Titans decide to use a four-linebacker set at times.

What will hopefully make McCarthy so valuable for the Titans is his versatility and athleticism. Those traits could lead him to a starting role in the next couple of seasons, but until that time comes, he'll have to help out in other ways.

5. Rennie Curran (Experience: 2 Years)

Rennie Curran will probably end up being the backup to either Will Witherspoon or Barrett Ruud at the strongside linebacker spot, and he's showing a ton of potential to be a viable starter one day.

If Witherspoon struggles, then don't be surprised if the Titans turn him loose. After all, they used a third-round draft pick on him in 2010, and he was an absolute stud for the Georgia Bulldogs for three seasons.

All he needs is an opportunity, and there's a decent chance he'll get it this season.